Copyholder



Feb. 4, 1941. A 2,230,810

COPYHOLDER Filed Feb. 1, 1959 25 WITNESS E5 26 INVENTOF? I I War dillPaul Patented Feb. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COPYHOLDER FrankL. Paul, New York, N. Y.

Application February 1, 1939, Serial No. 254,001

2 Claims.

This invention relates to copyholders and it is a particular object ofthe invention to provide an improved copyholder that may be used bystenographers, Linotype operators, public speakers, or the like forsupporting manuscripts and similar documents and papers in convenientposition to be read or copied.

I am aware that copyholders have been used prior to my invention.However, many copyholders heretofore employed have been of cumbersome,expensive construction, or were diflicult or inconvenient to operate, orhad many intricate moving parts which were subject to wear and would getout of order.

It is an object of the invention to overcome the difiiculties heretoforeencountered and toprovide an improved copyholder of relatively simpleand inexpensive construction, which is easy and convenient to operateand has relatively few moving parts so that it may be used for a longperiod of time with comparative freedom from Wear.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a copyholder of theabove character which may be readily adjusted as to height or as to theangle at which the manuscript or other document is supported.

For a fuller understanding of the invention ref erence should be had tothe accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of acopyholder embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a detailed partially fragmentary view of the upper portion ofthe copyholder, showing in detail the copyholding frame;

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the copyholder;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view in the direction of the arrows onthe line4--4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the copyholding frame from the right-hand endas viewed in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view in the direction of the arrows on the line6-6 of Fig. 2; and

Figs. 7 and 8 are end views similar to Fig. 5, showing two modificationsof my invention in which releasable locking devices are employed forholding the copyholding rollers in spaced relation.

center of the base, and a collar I4 formed at the top of the standardand provided with a set screw [5,

A rod I6 is disposed in the tubular standard l3 forming telescopingengagement therewith so 5 as to provide for vertical adjustment of thecopyholding frame. By means of the set screw 1 5 the rod I6 may bereleasably held in any desired adjusted position. The upper end of rodI6 is bent at right angles, providing the horizontally 10 disposedportion IT, to which the copyholding frame is secured so that it maypivot with respect thereto by means of the metal loop or strap l8 whichextends over the portion l1 and is secured to the back of the frame insome suitable manner as by means of the screws [9.

It will thus be seen that the rod It may rotate or pivot with respect tothe standard 13, and that the frame may pivot or rotate with respect tothe horizontal portion I! of the supporting rod I6. I accordinglyprovide means whereby the copyholding frame may be pivotally adjustedaround both horizontal and vertical pivots.

Adjacent the extreme end of the horizontal portion ll of the supportingrod I may provide suitable means for preventing the accidentaldisengagement of the parts at this point, such as the screw or bolt 20,threaded to an aperture provided transversely of the rod and which maybe firmly held in position as by means of a lock nut 2|. In addition topreventing the parts from becoming disengaged at this point the bolt orscrew 20 also serves as a stop so as to confine the pivoting of thecopyholding frame around its horizontal axis within predeterminedlimits. It will be appreciated that when the frame is pivoted to theextreme limits it engages one or the other ends of the screw and isprevented from pivoting beyond that point.

To hold the copyholding frame in adjusted position with regard to itshorizontal pivot I may also provide a set screw 22 threaded to anaperture formed through the back of the copyholder so that the end ofthe screw can engage the horizontal portion ll of the supporting rod. Alock nut 23 may also be provided in connection with the set screw 22 tohold it firmly in position.

The frame II is preferably formed of a flat backing strip of metal orany other desired material as indicated at 24, the ends of which arebent forwardly at right angles so as to form the spaced parallel endportions 25. Supported between the two end portions 25 I provide a pairof copyholding rollers 26 and 21, one of which,

namely, roller 26, may be smaller than the other roller, and while itmay be rotated with respect to the frame, is held against shifting. Theroller 21, on the other hand, is mounted in the frame so that it canrotate and also can shift with respect to the other roller, so as topermit of the convenient insertion of a manuscript or other papersbetween the rollers.

While the type of roller may be varied, I have found that theillustrated type of roller and roller mounting produces verysatisfactory results. Thus roller 26 is formed of a tubular member 28having a cover 29 made of some suit able friction material such asrubber. The roll- I er is held in position as by means of stub shaftscomprising screws 33 and 3! which pass through the end portions of theframe and are disposed inside the tubular members 28. For a purposewhich will hereinafter be explained the screw 38 projects a shortdistance beyond the end of the frame as shown most clearly in Fig.2.Roller 21 is also formed of a tubular member 32 having a cover 33 madeof friction material such as rubber and it is held in position as bymeans of stub shafts 34 and 34 which are provided'with knarled handles36 at the ends thereof.

So as to provide for shifting of the roller 2? the end portions 25 areprovided with elongated, slotted openings 31 through which the stubshafts 34 and 35 extend. The slotted openings are of sufiicient lengthto permit the roller 21 to shift from a position in which it engages asthe roller 26 to a position in which it is spaced from the roller.

To normally hold the rollers in engagement with each other I provide aspring 38 on each end portion 25 of the frame. The springs 38 aredisposed around machine screws or similar supports 39 and at one endthey are anchored against the screws it], while the other ends thereofengagethe stub shafts 3 5 or 35 which support the roller 21, therebyurging it into engagement with the roller 26.

I also provide convenient means whereby the roller 21 may be shiftedaway from the roller 26 to facilitate the insertion of a manuscript orother papers. This means preferably comprises a rod 4| extending betweenand pivotally supported by the end portions 25 of the frame. One end ofthe rod, 1. e., the right hand end as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, is bentdownwardly at right angles to the remainder of the rod, forming a handleportion 42. The handle portion depends downwardly in front of the stubshaft at and is adapted to engage the stub shaft when pressure isapplied to the handle, so as to cause the shaft and roller to shift.Connected to the opposite end of the-rod 4| is a depending member whichmay take the form of a screw 53, which is adapted to engage the stubshaft 35 in a similar manner so as to cause the roller to shift evenlywhen pressure is applied to the handle Q2.

So as to facilitate operation of the handle I preferably provide arelatively fixed handle 44 which is attached to the rear of the frameand depends downwardly in alignment with the handle 52. It will be seenthat the operator can grasp the handles 32 and d4, causing the handle toshift to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5, with theresult that simultaneously member 43 and handle 42 engage the stub:shafts 35 and 35, causing the roller 27 to shift with respectto theroller 25.

When pressure is released from the handle 52, springs '38 cause roller2'! to shift back to the position indicated in Figs. 4 and 6 and in fulllinein Fig. 5, with the two rollers engaging each other. I may alsoprovide means to insure the return of the handle 32 to its properposition, such as spring 45, which is connected to screw 39 at one endand at its opposite end is anchored in rod 4 l The tension andadjustment of spring 35 is such as to normally cause handle 152 toreturn to the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 5. It will beseen that member 43 engages the projecting end of stub shaft or screw 3ipreventing the handle from shifting or pivoting beyond this point.

In using my improved copyholder the copyholding frame I I is adjusted tothe proper height. This is accomplished by releasing thumb screw 15 andshifting rod i5 relative to standard l3. When the device has beenadjusted to the proper height, thumb screw I5 is tightened. A manuscriptmay then be inserted between the rollers 26 and 21. This is accomplishedby grasping the handles 22 and M, placing pressure on the handle d2until roller 2'5 has shifted and then inserting the manuscript betweenthe rollers. The handle can then be released so as to permit the roller2'! to return to its normal position and the manuscript can then be fedto the desired position by rotating either ,one of the handles 35.

If desired I may provide suitable means for supporting the manuscript inupright position, such as the arm 45 pivotally secured to the back ofthe frame as by means of screw 51. When the arm 46 is employed it can beshifted to vertical position and the manuscript will be supported in themanner indicated in dotted lines at 48 in Fig. 4.

It will be appreciated that the manuscript can be supported at anydesired angle by adjusting the frame H around its horizontal or verticalpivots. It will also be seen that my device is convenient to operatesince it only requires one hand tooperate handle 42 to shift roller 21to spaced relationship with regard to roller 26, leaving the other handfree to insert the manuscript. As the manuscript is copied or read itwill have to be fed upwardly from time to time and this can convenientlybe accomplished with either the right or left hand by a simple rotationof either one of the handles 36.

If desired I can also provide means for retaining or locking the roller2? in spaced relationship with regard to the roller 25. Thus in Fig.- 7I have illustrated one type of device that may be employed, in the form'of lever 49 pivoted to the end 25 of the frame as by means of screw 59.

The inner end of lever 49 is provided with a hooked portion 5| which isadapted to engage the stub shaft 34 when roller fl is in shiftedposition, and a spring 52 is connected between the frame and the hookedend of lever 49 so as to normally hold it out of the path of movement ofthe stub shaft 34. However, when the hooked end of the lever isdepressed to engage the shaft the friction is sufiicient to overcome thetension of spring 52 and the lever will effectively prevent the rollerfrom shifting.

In Fig. '7 I have merely illustrated a lever at one end of the frame. Itis to be understood of course that a similar lever G9 is preferablyprovided at the opposite end of the frame so as to similarly engage thestub shaft 35. Where the lever 49 is employed the fixed handle member Mmust be provided with a slotted portion 58 so as to provide clearancefor the end of the lever which serves as an operating handle.

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated another type of retaining means that may beemployed for retaining the rollers in spaced relationship. This meanscomprises a lever 53 pivotally mounted on the frame as by means of screw54. The lever 53 is provided with a depending end portion 55 which maybe shifted to engage a hooked member 56 formed on the handle 42, whenthe handle has been shifted to the position indicated in dotted lines inFig. 8. A coil spring 51 similar; to the spring 52 is connected betweenthe frame and the lever to normally hold the lever out of the path ofmovement of the hooked member 56.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a copyholder which may beemployed by stenographers, Linotype operators, public speakers and thelike to support a manuscript in a convenient position to be read orcopied.

It will also be seen that the copyholder is of relatively simple andinexpensive construction, that it can be readily adjusted to any desiredposition or angle, that it is convenient to operate and use and hascomparatively few moving parts and accordingly is not subject toexcessive wear.

It will be understood that modifications may be made in the illustratedand described embodiment of my invention without departing from theinvention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

I claim-- l. A copyholder comprising a base, a copyholding frame mountedon said base so as to be adjustable, a pair ofrollers mounted in theframe in parallel relationship and in the same horizontal plane when theframe is in horizontal position and adapted to support a manuscript, theangle and height of the manuscript being controlled by adjusting thecopyholding frame, and the rear one of said rollers being shiftable withrespect to the other roller so as to facilitate insertion of amanuscript between the rollers, means for shifting the first-mentionedroller with respect to the other roller comprising a rod disposedtransversely of the copyholding frame parallel to the rollers andpositioned substantially above the forward roller and provided with adepending arm engaging a stub shaft projecting at one end of theshifting roller, and a depending operating handle engaging a projectingstub shaft at the other end of the shiftable roller and means includingsprings engaging the shiftable roller for normally urging the rollersinto engagement with each other.

2. A copyholder comprising a base having a vertically disposed tubularstandard, a rod disposed in the standard and forming telescopicengagement therewith so as to be adjustable both vertically andradially, means for retaining the rod in adjusted position, acopyholding frame connected to the upper end of the rod by means of ahorizontally disposed pivot, a pair of horizontally disposed rollerssupported for rotary movement in the copyholding frame in substantiallyparallel relationship and in the same horizontal plane when the frame isin horizontal position, the forward one of said rollers being stationaryand the other roller being provided with stub shafts at its oppositeends extending through slots in the copyholding frame so as to beshiftable with respect to the stationary roller, means including a rodparallel to the rollers and positioned substantially above the forwardroller mounted on the copyholding frame and extending transverselythereof and provided with a depending arm engageable with a stub shaftat one end of the shiftable roller and having a depending operatinghandle engageable with the stub shaft at the opposite end of theshiftable roller, operating handles for rotating the rollers, meansincluding springs engageable with the stub shafts on the shiftableroller for normally urging the rollers into engagement with each other,and means including a pivotally mounted lever for releasably retainingthe stub shafts in spaced relationship.

FRANK L. PAUL.

